1. Choosing a Course and a University Mrs S Baines Director of Learning Sixth Form The Royal Latin School

2. Choosing a course There are over 50,000 courses on offer! Think about what you enjoy and do well, both at school and outside. These tips may help you to decide. Do you want to: Continue with a favourite subject? Develop an out of school interest? E.g., film sport, media Try something completely new? E.g., architecture, History of Art Do you have a career in mind? E.g., vet, teacher, psychologist Write down a list of jobs you’d like to do and why Discuss your options with teachers, career advisers, family and friends Whatever your interests, it’s essential that you do lots of research.

3. How do I find out about courses? UCAS Directory to search for particular subjects and courses: www.ucas.comwww.ucas Higher education fairs where you can meet representatives from universities University websites University prospectuses and course leaflets Independent university guides such as Virgin Alternative Guide, Times Guide, Push Guide, ‘Choosing Your Degree Course and University’, ‘HEAP: Degree course offers’ League tables to help you investigate which universities are best for particular courses: http://education.guardian.co.uk/ and www.timesonline.co.uk/educationwww.timesonline.co.uk/education National Student survey: National Student survey: http://education.guardian.co.uk/students/page/0,,2167598,00.html Teaching quality information is available from www.tqi.ac.uk Visit universities to get an idea of what courses involve. Most universities hold open days, master classes and taster sessions. Talk to people who are already studying the subject. Careers in the professions: http://www.insidecareers.co.uk/

4. Points to remember when researching courses 1What are the course options? 2How does the course content vary between universities? 3How long is the course? 4How is the course assessed? 5How is the course taught? 6Are there opportunities to do a work placement or study abroad for part of your course? 7Is it possible to study more than one subject (combined degree) or study a few modules from other courses, for example languages or IT? 8What sorts of jobs do graduates from the course go on to do? 9What are the entry requirements? 10Once you have chosen a course you can look at universities offering the course.

5. Unusual Courses! Equine Science Equine Science Anthropology Anthropology Surf Science Surf Science Brewing and Distilling Brewing and Distilling Golf Management Golf Management Gambling and Leisure Management Gambling and Leisure Management Tourism and Philosophy Tourism and Philosophy Pop Music and Theology Pop Music and Theology Nottingham Trent Nottingham Trent Warwick University Warwick University University of Plymouth University of Plymouth Heriot-Watt University Heriot-Watt University University of Birmingham University of Birmingham University of Salford University of Salford University of Hertfordshire University of Hertfordshire University of Chester University of Chester 50% graduate vacancies are open to graduates of any discipline

6. Choosing a University By deciding on a course you’ll have narrowed down the choices available. However, there may be many universities or colleges that offer a course that appeals to you, especially if you are considering a popular subject such as English or history. Most students have some idea of the location they want to be in – whether it’s in the south of England, by the sea, miles away or close to home. Many opt for somewhere that’s far enough away from their families to be independent but not too far to get home in a crisis, usually two-three hours drive. When you’ve found five to ten universities that appeal to you, you’ll need to find out more about them.

7. How do I find out about universities? Websites and prospectuses Visits Open Days Interviews/Visit days Firm and insurance choices

8. Questions to answer when researching universities Where to go? Entry requirements Entry requirements Location Location Size Size Facilities Facilities Bursaries Bursaries Reputation Reputation

9. Location How far from home? How far from home? Transport links Transport links Campus or town based? Campus or town based? Large city or country town? Large city or country town? Accommodation Accommodation

10. Facilities Libraries and Computers Bursaries Student Union services Bars and Club nights Sports facilities SU societies Part- time work?

11. So, to summarise Research! 50,000+ courses Research! 50,000+ courses Need to choose up to 5 choices Need to choose up to 5 choices Research year before applying (i.e.Year 12 if applying in Year 13) Research year before applying (i.e.Year 12 if applying in Year 13) Match grades required to predicted grades Match grades required to predicted grades Consider course content Consider course content Consider where and social aspects Consider where and social aspects Visit Visit Accept two offers – Firm and Insurance Accept two offers – Firm and Insurance

12. Help! School staff: your subject teachers, your form tutors, and the the KS 5 team: Mrs Baines, and the Heads of Year Mr Leyland and Mrs Exelby School staff: your subject teachers, your form tutors, and the the KS 5 team: Mrs Baines, and the Heads of Year Mr Leyland and Mrs Exelby Connexions Personal Adviser: Lucy Goodyear Connexions Personal Adviser: Lucy Goodyear Websites (especially www.ucas.com) Websites (especially www.ucas.com) Books – the Librarian Mrs Reading has a large selection Books – the Librarian Mrs Reading has a large selection University brochures and departmental staff. University brochures and departmental staff.

13. How Do Parents Help? Stay Calm Stay Calm Be aware of deadlines Be aware of deadlines Encourage realism Encourage realism Offer practical support – help with research, and go on Open Days with your sons and daughters Offer practical support – help with research, and go on Open Days with your sons and daughters Talk about money Talk about money Remember sources of information Remember sources of information And after ………. Enjoy the peace and quiet! Enjoy the peace and quiet!